Do you have a few hours to spare? John Taylor Hospice urgently needs volunteers to work alongside the Community Investment Crew.

The Hospice, which has been based in Birmingham for more than 100 years, would like to hear from people who enjoy working with others and in their local community.

The roles could be regular or occasional and will all support the work of the Crew who are fundraising across the West Midlands.

Roles include volunteer can and bucket collection co-ordinators, recycling co-ordinator, and leaflet deliveries.

The team are also keen to hear from people who would like to be ambassadors for the Hospice at local events.

Community Investment Crew co-ordinator Jan Nevett said: “These voluntary roles are a vital part of our investment work here in Birmingham and we would love to hear from anyone interested in joining us.

“I am happy to chat through any of the potential opportunities and can be contacted on 0121 465 2000 and Janet.Nevett@nhs.net”

For more information on investing in John Taylor Hospice see www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk or contact the Community Investment Crew on 0121 465 2000.

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The next Sutton Trinity Ward Committee meeting is on Thursday 27th June at the Crush Hall, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall at 7:30pm.

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by Annabal Bagdi

The first of two local fundraising events hosted by thebestof Sutton Coldfield will be taking place this week.  Kicking off with a special Tarot Card Evening this Friday, all funds raised will be in aid of Our Place Community Hub.

Proudly supporting this month’s Our Place Challenge 2013, the thebestof Sutton Coldfield will be offering everyone a sneak peek into the future at The Old Speckled Hen.  Between 4pm and 9pm on June 14, individuals can expect a night of fortune telling as well as a glass of wine or pint of beer for just £10.

Having spent much of his time working alongside Our Place Manager Kelly Round, John Prendergast of thebestof Sutton Coldfield said: “I am amazed by her hard work and dedication and I want to do all I can to help her work continue”.

A second chance to receive mystical insights at the Old Specked Hen is planned for June 28.  With booking not required for either event, an extraordinary evening could be on the cards.

For updates or further information, please visit ourplacecommunityhub.org, follow @OurPlaceSutton or @TheBestOfSC.  Alternatively, find Our Place on Facebook, facebook.com/ourplace.sutton.  The Old Speckled Hen is located on Mere Green Rd, Mere Green, West Midlands B75 5BL.

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Sutton Coldfield residents are gearing up for the arrival of quirky vintage market Bert & Gert’s this Saturday 15 June.

The market will set up shop on the Parade this weekend, and then again on the third Saturday of July and August.

Shoppers can expect to see a great mix of arts, crafts and vintage offerings, from handmade jewellery to vintage clothes and crockery to craft supplies, as well as delicious homemade cupcakes.

The market is an addition to two existing markets that regularly visit Sutton Coldfield, the craft market on the first Saturday of each month and the farmer’s market on the second Friday of each month.

Mike Bushell, Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID manager comments: “We can’t wait to welcome this wonderful addition to our already thriving market community.

“We believe it’s the sum of lots of little things that make Sutton Coldfield a great place to shop, eat, drink & relax, so Bert & Gert’s Vintage Markets will add a new dimension to the town’s already fantastic offering.”

“Good markets act as an important attraction for town centres, and with vintage becoming increasingly popular, we know Berts & Gert’s will go down a storm.”

For more information about Bert & Gert’s Vintage Markets please see bertandgerts.co.uk. To find out more about what’s happening in Sutton please visit www.suttoncoldfieldtowncentre.co.uk

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Enigma Brass Ensemble are pleased to announce that we will perform our first public concert of the year at 8.00pm on Sunday 9th June at Wylde Green United Reformed Church.

The concert will begin with music by Dvorak, Mozart and Howard Shore followed by a rare performance of “Aubrey’s Maske”, a collection of seven miniatures for brass by Simon Wills narrated by Bill Rogers.

John Aubrey (1627-97), an eccentric antiquarian and mathematician and one of the first members of the Royal Society, compiled sets of biographies, called “Brief Lives”. Left unfinished after his death, it is a chaotic mixture of history and gossip.

Each movement of Aubrey’s Maske describes an episode or character from “Lives”. The movements parody masque music of the time with one or two quotations from popular songs.

Since summer 2000 there have been regular music recitals at Wylde Green URC, featuring church members and friends, local amateur and professional musicians, and even internationally-known performers. These short concerts are supported not only by church members who have been at the preceding evening service, but also attracting audiences from the local community who attend just to hear the music. Starting at 8pm, they last between 45 and 60 minutes, and are very informal in nature.

All are welcome, no ticket is required and admission is free, but a retiring collection is taken in aid of church funds.

Simply turn up at 7.45pm for an 8pm start.

Further details about the group can be found by visiting www.enigmabrass.org.uk or www.facebook.com/enigmabrassensemble

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A police investigation continues this morning (Saturday) after an officer was seriously injured after being struck by a car he was attempting to stop in Erdington yesterday.

A 50-year-old-man was arrested within hours of the collision and remains in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder.

The man was arrested in the Aston area of Birmingham just after 7pm following a short foot chase by police.

The 44-year-old police officer suffered pelvic, leg and shoulder injuries following the incident in Oval Road earlier today and remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Police were originally called to Compton Road in Erdington around 3pm yesterday (Friday) following a report of a shed break in. After an extensive search of the area a man matching the description of the suspect was spotted in a car on Oval Road.

A police officer attempted to stop the vehicle and was struck by a blue Honda Estate.

Police enquires into the incident are continuing and witnesses who have not yet spoken to police should call 101.

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